Montseratt, the Bermuda netball team was rocked with the sudden withdrawal of promising young defender Bismallah Sharrieff.

The lanky player was forced to remove herself from the team -- which left today for the tiny east West Indian Isle -- because she was accepted at the Police Training School programme.

Thus what was a 10 member contingent has been reduced to nine, but coach Braxton Stowe said that the loss would not cause any undue stress on the remaining players.

"There's no real dilemma,'' said Stowe, who has previously toured Grenada with local representative side back in 1976 and this year holds the reins along with Herman Eve. "All the players are special players ... she's (Sharrieff) just a defender, useful and the most promising, but everyone plays a key position.

"We have the players to fill the void and take up the slack.'' Bermuda gets its first test on Sunday, taking the court against the host country in the first game of the tournament. The match could set the tone and provide a useful barometer for the rest of the competition, with Montseratt expected to be one of the weaker entrants.

Still nothing was being left to chance by the coaches as they sought to have the women properly prepared for any situation which might arise.

"Having never seen any of the countries from the Caribbean play except Jamaica it's hard for me to gauge what to expect,'' explained Eve, who has coached local club Panthers the last 10 years. "But if they play on the set plays that were laid down then they will do extremely well ... I have no doubt about that.

"As long as they have the unity to stay together, play together and they're all there for the same goal they will be successful one way or the other ...

whether they win or lose.

"Bermuda can look at these girls as being ambassadors. Their attitude's right and they want to play and do the best they can for the country.'' Nine nations are entered in the spectacle, including long-time powerhouse Trinidad and Tobago as well as Antigua/Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Vincent/Granadines and St. Lucia.

Most of Bermuda's experience comes from goal attack Rose Richardson and goal shooter Debbie DeShields, both of whom have played previously on the international stage.

DeShields is a noted marksman, having led the league last season, and her accuracy around the goal is vital for the team's success.

Defence is solid where Sherita Steede and team captain Pattie Tucker are likely to be charged with holding opposition scoring to a minimum.

However, it is the middle of the court where most concern lies as several of the local girls lack size and may find themselves at somewhat of a disadvantage against taller players.

"Our centre court is where we've had to work most, because the centre and wing attack and wing defence is where our shorter players are,'' said Stowe.

"So we may need to make extra passes and use speed to get around the defences.'' While admitting that this may not be the strongest team due to the untimely exodus of several senior players, because of internal problems within the netball association, Stowe said that the present squad was more than adequate.

"These players have the drive and are determined.

"If you look at this squad here we have Debbie DeShields and Rose (Richardson) as the only two that have participated in the tournament before and those two are still working as if they're rookies and the rest of them are enthused and giving 110 percent ... they've learned a lot.

"We want to build for the Commonwealth Games and the world tournament coming up in the future, so the Caribbean tournament is to gain experience for the world tournament where you have the New Zealands, Australians and the real dominant teams.'' Eight matches each will be played by the teams in a round-robin format which runs through August 17. PHOTO HEADIN' SOUTH -- The Bermuda netball team taking part in the Caribbean Netball Championships: Standing, left to right, Herman Eve (coach), Rose Richardson, Nicole DeGraff, Bismallah Sharrieff, Deborah DeShields, Sherita Steede, Braxton Stowe (coach). Kneeling, Patricia Pitcher, Chenita Zuill, Pattie Tucker, Tina Caines, Dion Butterfield.